Jacqueline Gutierrez

 Jacqueline GutierrezJacqueline Gutierrez is the daughter of Andy Gutierrez who is active in the Fire Prevention Bureau Legal Unit as Inspector II. She will be starting the next chapter of her life as a freshman at California State University Long Beach in the fall of 2010. Jacqueline is majoring in psychology because she loves dealing with the social aspects of people and hopes to become a school psychologist or a counselor so she can one day mentor young kids and students.

"This scholarship will help me because it will be used to give me more knowledge, which equals a better future for my occupation and for my family," said Jacqueline.

Jacqueline applied for a scholarship through the Relief Association because her family needed help with financing her education. Having a sister who is also attending college right now, Jacqueline wanted to help her parents with the rising costs of tuition as well as her room and board expenses.

"While I'm going to school, I'm also representing the firemen's association and my dad... and I thank the whole committee for choosing me to receive this big scholarship," said Jacqueline. "It means a lot to me and my family. I am so thankful."

Q & A
What did receiving a scholarship through the LA Firemen's Relief Association mean to you?

"Receiving this scholarship meant a lot to me because it will help me further my education in college, and get me one step closer to graduation. I am also very honored to be receiving this scholarship because I am representing the LA Firemen's Relief Association. They do so much for the LA community and are an important part of its ability to function properly."

What are some personal words of advice that you would give to future scholarship applicants/recipients?

"My words of advice for next year's applicants are to just relax and to not let your nerves affect the writing abilities you know you are capable of using. Also, if there is a choice concerning the prompt, choose something that you are knowledgeable about but also something that you think not everyone will answer. You want to stand out."

How will receiving this scholarship help you to make a difference through your education and in the community?

"This scholarship will help me and, most importantly, my family feel a little less stressed about the amount of tuition and housing throughout my college career. I can go to school happy and healthy, grateful for my schooling, and bring a positive attitude to my surrounding community."

What is your ultimate career goal, and how does receiving this scholarship help you to accomplish that goal?

"My ultimate career goal, right now, is to become a school psychologist. I love working with children and always have. Psychology has also been an interesting subject to me my whole life and I'm good at being social with people. I plan on taking every course necessary to complete what I need to reach my ultimate career goal. This scholarship will be so helpful in getting me closer to this goal and I am so grateful for it."

By Rachel Kellogg